On Saturday, August 10, 2002, I competed in the Catoctin 50K Trail Run, which is held near Frederick, Maryland. This was the first time I have run this race, and I heard that the course is tough the whole way. Ordinarily, I can do 31 miles in about five hours, but since just under five hours is the course record, I decided that I should shoot for something between six and seven hours.
The weather on this day is pretty nice for August. The temperature at the start of the race is about 60 degrees, and the high today is supposed to be in the mid-80s. The race is filled up with 115 runners. We start and do one lap around the parking lot before heading on to the trail, which we will be on for the entire race.Mile 6 1:17:54 (12:59 avg./mile)
This first portion is a little more downhill than uphill. Also, I am fresh and all of the rocks on the trail are a challenge, not a nuisance. I was hoping to maybe run 12 minute miles, but I will be satisfied to keep them under 15 minutes per mile. My right heel, which has been bothering me since the beginning of July, is okay for now. At this aid station is my dad, who is crewing for me today. He is ready with some chocolate milk, and I also eat a small piece of a PB&J sandwich.Mile 9 32:06 (10:42 avg./mile)
This is almost all nicely downhill, and I am not too surprised to see that I have made really good time. Every time the trail intersects with another trail we have to be careful to find the trail markings again. It is getting more difficult now that most of the runners are spread out, and I never see more than one or two runners at a time.Mile 15.6 1:28:48 (13:27 avg./mile)
I am now realizing that this is going to be much tougher going back than it was coming out because this is an out and back course, and we have gone down more than we have gone up. Somewhere about mile 12, I rolled my left ankle about three-quarters of the way. It hurts pretty good, but I think it will be okay. About a half mile from the turn-around, I come to a road and think that the turn-around must just be up the road a little bit, but after running up the road about eight minutes, I realize that I must have missed the trail branching off of the road. So, I turn around and find the trail again, but I have probably lost over 10 minutes. The lead runner is about an hour ahead of me going into the turn-around point.Mile 22.2 1:57:10 (17:45 avg./mile)
This six miles starting back is all uphill. It is initially a two and a half mile climb with my ears popping at least once. The rocks are really starting to be a pain. I now have a blister off the back of my left heel, and I roll my right ankle about half way--no problem. I am also dehydrated, but the temperature hasn’t been too bad. The wind is blowing somewhat and we are under the shade of the trees most of the time, but I am still sweating a lot and have obviously lost quite a bit of fluids. I drain my Camelbak during this 6.6 mile stretch and need to refill it at this aid station where crew are not allowed. The aid station volunteers refill it about halfway, and I don’t think that will quite get me to the next aid station at the rate I am drinking right now.Mile 25.2 55:57 (18:39 avg./mile)
This is down right ugly, but I know that finishes ugly and slow is almost always preferable to dropping out. About half way between the last aid station and this one, my dad meets me in the mild of the woods with a refill for my Camelbak. It is greatly appreciated and I move on down the trail. I am walking about twice as much as I am running, but most of this section is gradually uphill. Finally, when I get into the aid station, four or five runners, who recently passed me, are sitting down worrying about their feet. I seize the opportunity, and since I just got my Camelbak refilled, head straight on up the trail after taking two cups of Coke. I am six miles from the finish and if I make these six miles in under an hour and a half, I can finish under 7:45, which just happens to be the time that my nemesis, Melissa Belleman, ran on this course three years ago.Mile 31.2 1:30:07 (15:01 avg./mile)
I am recharged and motivated to push towards the finish. As I leave the last aid station, I am probably moving at about an 11-minute mile pace. However, I have trouble picking up the trail at two different points and lose about 5-10 minutes total. I am power walking up hills and flying as fast as I can down the other side. I probably pass close to 10 runners this last portion. My legs are beyond cramping, but I practice mind over matter (if I don’t mind, it doesn’t matter). Well actually it does, but I can put up with it for a little longer. Coming up the last hill, I pass two more runners. I hear the people at the finish line. Near the very top, my legs try to lock-up with cramps, but I see the finish line and manage to run through. I finish in 7:42:05! It is a huge positive split, but I am happy with my effort, particularly the last six miles.Official Finishing Time 7:42:05
52nd out of 115 starters
Now I have something to improve on next time I run this race. I entered this race thinking that it would just be a good training run, but now I know that this 50km race is as hard as the JFK 50 miler, even though it is 19 miles longer. It is really nice that I have my dad to drive us the three hours back to Richmond. My legs really received a thrashing today. Next on my schedule is the JFK50 on November 23.
Until then, never stop running, Darin
